We've often seen internal corrosion and degradation of shims in shocks and forks, leading to a decline in performance and functionality. Many people ask how this is possible when there's oil inside. The answer lies in physics and chemistry. As we have pointed out before, and through our research and testing, we've come to various insights.
Your suspension works very hard to ensure a smooth ride and to maximize performance, operating thousands of times in a short period. According to telemetry data, a shock can perform over 15,000 cycles in just 10 minutes, and forks do the same. During these movements, the suspension heats up, creating friction and causing heating-cooling cycles. These cycles break down the chemical chains in the oil, releasing substances that negatively affect metal, aluminum, and rubber, the primary components of shocks and forks. What happens then? Material degradation, wear, and corrosion occur within the system. This makes the system partially functional and usable, leading to damage to the shaft and all stacks.
Without naming specific oil brands, we've debated the merits of original oils versus the oils we use. People are often uninformed and gullible. In most cases, we remain objective and neutral, pointing out problems and their solutions.
Returning to the topic of oil and corrosion in hydraulic systems: in short, heating-cooling cycles cause the chemical chains to break down, leading to the release of compounds, resulting in corrosion and material degradation. Choosing a high-quality oil will mitigate this problem, and proper servicing or tuning will result in a suspension that heats up less, performs better, and meets your individual needs. This will also mean cheaper future services and longer service intervals.
